Durban – Cricket South Africa’s first black national convener of selectors says the Proteas cannot afford to lose form by rushing to include players of colour.
But the recently introduced quota system would ensure there was a larger pool from which to select black players in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup, said Linda Zondi.
The former first-class cricketer was appointed in August, edging out three other black candidates to succeed Shafiek Abrahams as convener of selectors for the national under-19 cricket team, before the U19 World Cup taking place in Dubai in February.
Zondi’s appointment was celebrated on Monday at the Elangeni Hotel at Durban’s North Beach, an event jointly hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal departments of sport and recreation and health.
Speaking at the event, KwaMashu-born Zondi said he was not a firm believer in quotas, but the current quota system had made it simpler to identify future Proteas players. “With six franchises, if they all field two players, then as selectors we now have 12 black players to pick from.”
Although he acknowledged that his appointment might have a bearing on who was chosen, he vowed not to bow to pressure, and said he would ensure selections were made for the good of the team.
“We need to create a platform for the black players to come through. I may not have been given a chance during my days, but we cannot hold on to that,” he said
“Structures are there. It’s now their (black cricketers’) time to prove their worth,” he said.
Since South Africa’s re-entry to the international arena, only five black players have made the Test team.
With 80 percent of the population being black, Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana said he found it disturbing that there was not even one black player currently playing Test cricket for South Africa.
“There is this perception that if you play a team with black players, it’s a weak team. We need to give people the right chances,” said Toyana, who was contacted by the Daily News after the event for comment.
“Black players are given one shot at proving themselves. I mean how many times does Faf du Plessis have to play badly to be dropped from the team?”
As the only black coach in franchise cricket, Toyana has opposed the incentive-based quota system, and believes the money can be put to better use in developing township cricketers.
“There aren’t any players coming from the townships to the franchise,” he said. “The current black players come from private schools or former model C schools that excel at sport.”
During the Momentum One Day Cup, the Highveld Lions starting line-up featured four black players, which Toyana said was not due to the incentive on offer, but merit.
“It’s not about the incentive. The players are contracted by Cricket South Africa. You don’t get incentives for contracted players,” he said.
The new quota system forces franchises to field at least one black African player. Those franchises that have more than one black African in 70 percent of their matches will be reimbursed an amount equivalent to the average contract cost of the qualified players.
Toyana said he believed Zondi’s position on the selection panel would have a bearing on the selection of more black players. “He has no problems with speaking with selectors. If he can identify a good player being overlooked, then he will say so,” he said.
KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union chief executive Jesse Chellan said Zondi’s appointment was due recognition for his abilities. He believed Zondi would ensure the best team was picked and that transformation took place.
“Cricket is a very tough game. It tests your mental and physical strength. Players such as Khaya Zondo and Cody Chetty are not picked because of quota, but because of merit,” said Chellan.
With many young black cricketers having fallen through the system and not making it to franchise cricket, Chellan admitted the transition from school cricket to the professional game was difficult.
“There can only be so many players at that level… franchise cricket is not an easy system,” he said.
Daily News